Controlled release of hydrogen from composite nanoparticles
Multi-functional materials for use in reversible, high-capacity hydrogen separation and/or storage are described. Also described are systems incorporating the materials. The multi-functional materials combine a hydrogen-absorbing material with a high-efficiency and a non-contact energy-absorbing material in a composite nanoparticle. The non-contact energy-absorbing material include magnetic and/or plasmonic materials. The magnetic or plasmonic materials of the composite nanoparticles can provide localized heating to promote release of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage component of the composite nanoparticles.
1. A multi-functional nanoparticle for hydrogen storage or separation and controlled hydrogen release comprising:
a magnetic nanoparticle having a size of from about 1 nanometer to about 500 nanometers; and
a nanosized particle having a size of from about 1 nanometer to about 100 nanometers deposited on a surface of the magnetic nanoparticle and in thermal contact with the magnetic nanoparticle, the nanosized particle comprising a reversible metal hydride that forms a first interstitial hydride with a first isotope of hydrogen and that forms a second interstitial hydride with a second isotope of hydrogen, wherein the first isotope of hydrogen is released from the first interstitial hydride at a first release condition and the second isotope of hydrogen is released from the second interstitial hydride at a second, different release condition.
2. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticle is in direct contact with the reversible metal hydride of the nanosized particle.
3. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticle is in the shape of a sphere, a tube, a ring, or a rod.
4. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 1 , the magnetic nanoparticle comprising at least one of iron, nickel, gadolinium, and cobalt.
5. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 4 , the magnetic nanoparticle comprising Fe 2+ and/or Fe 3+ .
6. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 1 , the reversible metal hydride comprising palladium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, zinc, or vanadium.
7. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 1 , wherein the reversible metal hydride has a compositional formula of:
A 1-x M x T 5-y-z B y C z ,
wherein:
A=La;
M=La, Pr, Nd or Ce;
T=Ni;
B=Co;
C=Mn, Al or Cr;
x=0.0 to 1.0;
y=0.0 to 2.5; and
z=0.0 to 1.0.
8. A system for controlled release of hydrogen from a hydrogen-absorbing material comprising:
a bed comprising a plurality of the multi-functional composite nanoparticles of claim 1 ; and
an energy source in non-contact communication with the multi-functional composite nanoparticles, wherein the energy source is configured to emit an alternating magnetic field in the non-contact communication.
9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a hydrogen source upstream of the bed, wherein the hydrogen source is a source of the first isotope of hydrogen and the second isotope of hydrogen.
10. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a hydrogen collection or hydrogen combustion facility downstream of the bed.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the energy source is configured to vary the alternating magnetic field.
12. A multi-functional nanoparticle for hydrogen storage or separation and controlled hydrogen release comprising:
a plasmonic nanoparticle having a size of from about 1 nanometer to about 500 nanometers; and
a nanosized particle having a size of from about 1 nanometer to about 100 nanometers deposited on a surface of the plasmonic nanoparticle and in thermal contact with the plasmonic nanoparticle, the nanosized particle comprising a reversible metal hydride that forms a first interstitial hydride with a first isotope of hydrogen and that forms a second interstitial hydride with a second isotope of hydrogen, wherein the first isotope of hydrogen is released from the first interstitial hydride at a first release condition and the second isotope of hydrogen is released from the second interstitial hydride at a second, different release condition.
13. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 12 , wherein the plasmonic nanoparticle is in the shape of a sphere, a tube, a ring, or a rod.
14. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 12 , the reversible metal hydride comprising palladium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, zinc, or vanadium.
15. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 12 , wherein the metal hydride has a compositional formula of:
A 1-x M x T 5-y-z B y C z ,
wherein:
A=La;
M=La, Pr, Nd or Ce;
T=Ni;
B=Co;
C=Mn, Al or Cr;
x=0.0 to 1.0;
y=0.0 to 2.5; and
z=0.0 to 1.0.
16. The multi-functional nanoparticle of claim 12 , the plasmonic nanoparticle comprising gold, platinum, silver, copper, and/or aluminum.
17. A system for controlled release of hydrogen from a hydrogen-absorbing material comprising:
a bed comprising a plurality of the multi-functional composite nanoparticles of claim 12 ; and
an energy source in non-contact communication with the multi-functional composite nanoparticles, wherein the energy source is configured to emit an electromagnetic wave in the non-contact communication.
18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a hydrogen source upstream of the bed, wherein the hydrogen source is a source of the first isotope of hydrogen and the second isotope of hydrogen.
19. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a hydrogen collection or hydrogen combustion facility downstream of the bed.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the energy source is configured to emit an electromagnetic wave in the near infra-red or visible spectrum.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the energy source is configured to vary the emission of the electromagnetic wave.